Weekend Wraps with one of the authors, Melissa LaBarre (the other author is Cecily Glowick McDonald was not available to chat with us but we love her work too!) returned to the YarnThing podcast with Marly Bird to bring us up to speed on what she’s working on.
Melissa learned to knit the basics while she worked in the mid-90’s while working in a Nursing Home as the activity coordinator. She wanted to learn more so she sought out books, and soon creating sweaters without patterns. Cecily told her she should be writing things down. Pam Allen purchased her first pattern for publication with Classic Elite and guided her through the process, and still does for Quince & Co now. Melissa LaBarre is a freelance knitwear designer and work-at-home mother. She is co-author of the books Weekend Hats (Interweave 2011), New England Knits (Interweave 2010), in 2012 leaving full-time work to be a Stay-at-Home-Mom and pursue more design work. Her designs have been published in Knitscene, Vogue Knitting, Twist Collective, as well as design collections for Quince and Co, Classic Elite, Valley Yarns, Blue Sky Alpacas, Brooklyn Tweed, among many others. Her third book, Weekend Wraps, which is her second co-author work with Cecily is her newest work to share with us.
Her design work has changed. It used to be that she created patterns, mostly sweaters, for women, occasionally for men. Now she’s creating designs for kids (which means that she the finished project is a garment AND a pattern) and shared that her four year-old is helpful at directing the process of her designs, but not really interested in wearing them. So most of her design time is spent on the younger one. She is currently creating a collection of women’s garments, too.
In 2008, while attending Rhinebeck with Cecily, it was suggested that they write a book. When they got home, Cecily e-mailed Melissa her book idea (Melissa says that was the sign that this was real) and that became New England Knits. They have also collaborated on Weekend Hats and Weekend Wrap has grown from that. For Weekend Wraps, they created a theme about color and put out a call for wraps, shawls, cowls and scarves using heavier yarns like worsted an up, so that the project could be completed in a weekend. They each contributed two designs, Melissa created the Getaway Poncho with it’s beautiful collar and Hikers Shawl which has a rustic texture both in the stitch pattern and the yarn. Cecily created two sweaters, The Wander Shrug and the Sailing Bolero which Melissa says could be knitted as a full length sweater easily. Other contributors include Angela Tong, Kate Gagnon Osborn, Thea Coleman, Bristol Ivy, Carrie Bostick Hoge and Tanis Gray.
Melissa says she and Cecily are very close (her daughter says she’s her best friend) and they will probably work up future books, just haven’t come up with a plan yet, so we have something to look forward to. It’s a mystery what it could be.
Melissa LaBarre can be followed through her website is: www.KnittingSchoolDropout.com, she can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Weekend Wraps can be purchased through Amazon with Marly’s code. Marly alluded to an early YarnThing episode with Melissa, but it must have been one of those early lost episodes it’s not in the archives. We can’t wait to have her or Cecily come back.
If you missed getting to hear this live it is still available to hear as an archived episode at the link where it aired originally: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/08/02/weekend-wraps-with-one-of-the-authors-melissa-labarre-rogers or in your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio.
Nothing like knitting by the fireside in winter wrapped in one of the beautiful designs in your new book!
The interview was so sweet and all the patterns are just beautiful. I wish I could sit by the fireside and make every one of them!!
What a perfect combination to enjoy fireside- needles, yarn and the book; Weekend Wraps.
Loved learning more about Melissa LaBarre.
Thank you
What fun it would be to sit by the fireside wearing the Fireside shawl.
I’d love to leaf through your book and knit the designs by the fireside on a long, slow weekend!
I was familiar with Melissa’s work but didn’t realize how prolific she was until this interview. The new collection looks so exciting. I think I too would like to knit fireside as well as many of the other patterns. The poncho looks wonderful too
Hello Ladies,
Congratulations on another great podcast!
Congratulations to you too Melissa and Cecily!
It is pretty hot and humid here in Toronto so just writing the word “FIRESIDE” is causing me to sweat! It will have been worth it though if I am lucky enough to be this podcast’s winner!
Melissa your sweet personality definitely came through in the podcast. Wishing you all the best both personally and professionally!
Thanks,
Rose.
Dreaming of cooler weather and knitting the fireside shawl by the fireside with a good podcast or Craftsy class to keep me company. Sounds heavenly.
it’s a little too warm to be thinking about sitting by a fireside and knitting, but the cooler weather will be here before we know it! Enjoyed this podcast and love Melissa’s designs are lovely!!
One of my most enjoyable winter time activities is sitting fireside and knitting. Truth be told, it’s my only enjoyable winter time activity. I can’t stand winter!
No fireside knitting for me – it’s not eve an option! But I do love winter knitting.
Fireside knitting sounds so cozy, but we don’t have a fireplace:( However, that doesn’t mean I won’t knit this piece. A large wrap would be wonderful:)
Just finished listening to your podcast. Would much rather be sitting by the fireside and knitting a shawl then going to work. Actually will save the fireside for cooler weather! Thanks
How does she do it?! I’m a stay at home mom with a 2 & 4 year old and whew, it is tough to get the crochet/knit time in some days! I’ve just learned to knit and the Fireside shawl would be right up my alley. Especially since it’s worked from the point up so I could stop before it takes over my short body. =)
Loved hearing about Melissa, now I want to sit by the fireside and knit but I think I will wait until the weather cools abit!
Way too humid today to think about the FIreside shawl or almost any other knitted project other than socks, but soon it will be cooler and the perfect time to have a lap full of a fantastic wrap pattern and some lovely wool yarn. Thanks for such inspiring patterns and a great podcast
Knitting by the fireside on a cold winters day is definitely what I would call a happy place. Loved the podcast, great to hear from Melissa!
Oh to be by the fireside with some lovely knitting and a cup of tea!
Hearing Melissa describe the fireside wrap made me want to run out and get this book, warm up the ol’ needles and start one! Thanks for the wonderful interview ladies.
Loved the show. The book looks great. The first thing I will knit from this collection is the Fireside shawl-so cozy.
The Fireside Shawl is one of my favorite patterns from the book “Weekend Wraps: 18 Quick Knit Cowls, Scarves & Shawls.” I loved the interview!!!
I love to sit by the fireside and knit. My favorite thing to knit is shawls and blankets. There are many beautiful shawl patterns in this book that I could make while I sit there
Thanks for another great interview
Valerie
The patterns in Weekend Wraps look so lovely and versatile. I think I would get a lot of wear out of them all, including the Fireside Shawl.
Thanks for another great show. I enjoyed hearing about the projects in the book. I can’t wait for the fall and winter to be able to crochet by the fireside. The time is almost here, even if it hard to believe with how hot it has been recently! 🙂
I am a first-time listener to your podcast and I am hooked 🙂 Looking forward to cuddling up with my newest project while listening to your podcast by the fireside. A big shout out to Tammy – thank you for embracing Gracie and I at Stitches Midwest! You made our experience beautiful!
It is really great to learn more about designers and who they are. I’d love to knit a wrap by the fireside this coming winter.
My favorite winter sport knitting by the fireside followed by reading by the fireside!
I live in texas and it is currently 100+ here so the thought of knitting by the fir is unimaginable, but I love the fireside shawl.
Soon it will be winter here in Wyoming and a fireside knitting project will make the day perfect!
Driving from Michigan to Maine. Listening to Marly and Melissa in New York in the middle of the night. Wishing I was by a fireside knitting. Thank you for saving the podcasts for us to listen to at odd times!
Beautiful patterns for fireside days!
This book sounds so intriguing! I wanted to see every picture while Marly and Melissa were talking about the Fireside and all the other designs.
These patterns seem perfect for a cool summer evening spent by the fireside.
I loved listening to the interview and I look forward to sitting by the fireside as the weather cools down.
Great interview with Melissa. I also think that my favorite pattern is the Fireside Shawl. I am thinking of watching the snow fall and knitting by the fireside.
My favorite knitting time is a rainy day curled up on the couch. Knitting by the fireside would make it perfect.
I love knitting by the fireside.Can’t think a better thing to do when it’s cold…..which isn’t often enough in Alabama.